Dehydration Yuma AZ

Hydration is important for more than quenching thirst. Without it, your blood becomes thicker, making your heart and other organs work harder and function less effectively. The combination of extreme heat and dehydration is a recipe for heatstroke.

Dehydration

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Dehydration

Keep your outdoor adventures mouthwatering

While most outdoor enthusiasts know enough to drink plenty of liquids in the desert , don't make the mistake of thinking hot weather is the only cause of dehydration. Some of the most common causes of dehydration are hypothermia , diarrhea and vomiting . You don't even need to get sick. The ultra-dry cabin air on planes can land you at your outdoor adventure already down a quart or two of water.

Hydration is important for more than quenching thirst. Without it, your blood becomes thicker, making your heart and other organs work harder and function less effectively. The combination of extreme heat and dehydration is a recipe for heatstroke .

Clichéd as it may be, the human body is more than 60 percent water by weight. Even the loss of one or two percent of this water can cause long-term health complications. Losing as little as nine percent can kill you.

Prevention

The best way to prevent dehydration is to maintain your fluid levels. Although this may appear to be a no-brainer, the guidelines aren't as simple. The amount of liquid you need will vary depending on your age, level of physical fitness, environmental conditions, activity level and your own unique physiology.

However, a good place to start is making sure that you

Drink a minimum of eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Increase your consumption whenever your body must work harder to supply oxygen, heat you up or cool you down. This is includes

In the desert

At high altitudes

In extreme heat

In extreme cold .

Drink small quantities every 15 to 20 minutes even if you don't feel thirsty. By the time you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol and soda.

If you are on prescription medication, check with your pharmacist to see if you need to hydrate more frequently.

Eat high water content foods like fruit and vegetables. Approximately 25 percent of the water in our bodies is extracted from the foods we eat.

Signs and Symptoms

While the signs and symptoms of dehydration vary depending on the degree of dehydration, you know you need to hydrate if you notice the following: